| Thousands of visitors from the Australian jewellery | | | | Beads and all things beaded and big beads are |
| trade, retailers, manufacturers, bench jewellers, | | | | popular. Well, that's been happening for a while but it |
| goldsmiths, silversmiths attended the annual fair to see | | | | doesn't show any signs of waning. Bright coloured |
| the latest products on show from hundreds of | | | | beaded jewellery is looming large. The best part about |
| exhibitors from all over the world. | | | | beaded jewellery is that it is cheap. You can buy a lot |
| There is nothing new under the sun. Well perhaps | | | | of it for very little and you can even make it yourself. |
| there isn't but there certainly can be new twists put on | | | | Beaded gemstone jewellery is raging. I like because |
| old themes and that is certainly evident in the jewellery | | | | you get beads like garnets, pearls, opalite, and so on all |
| fashion world. | | | | very inexpensively. They are the poorer quality pieces |
| The world economies are changing and China is | | | | of the mining process but what a terrific way to use |
| playing a big part in jewellery manufacture and China | | | | them. |
| equals cheap. In Australia sales have been dampened | | | | Diamonds are still in flavour which is evidenced by the |
| by rising fuel prices, rising interest rates and massively | | | | fact that one and a half million dollars worth were |
| rising gold and silver prices. But it doesn't mean that | | | | stolen from one exhibitor as his wears were being |
| people have stopped buying jewellery. | | | | transported to the fair. Diamonds are coming in all |
| As a response to these negative economic conditions | | | | colours now and this is making a resurgence in the |
| new metals are looming as the popular choice. We are | | | | desire for the timeless stone. |
| seeing titanium, tungsten, and stainless steel taking over | | | | Other gemstones are being set in invisible settings and |
| some of the role of the precious metals gold and silver. | | | | this is becoming very popular. All that glittering metal |
| These are exciting metals and a lot can be done with | | | | which traditionally holds the stones in place is cleverly |
| them that might not be done with other metals. Also, | | | | being replaced by another form of setting which |
| white gold is the most expensive of the gold varieties | | | | makes the setting method invisible. I like it. |
| and with a huge surge in the gold price what can we | | | | Silver jewellery is surging as a response to the |
| do? Well palladium is the answer. It is a beautiful metal | | | | increased cost of white gold but it always had its loyal |
| and is strong and a sparkling white. It doesn't need to | | | | followers in any case. |
| be rhodium plated and in my opinion it looks better than | | | | I am pleased to see that amber and amber jewellery |
| white gold or platinum and it is less expensive. | | | | from the far Baltic shores is still very popular. |
| Big is the word of today. We are seeing huge mens' | | | | All in all, my view of what I have seen and talked |
| watches. At first I have to laugh but then they grow on | | | | about shows that all the old favourites like opals are |
| you. Of course you don't have to agree with the | | | | still holding their ground but big, bright, glitzy jewellery is |
| fashions you just have to keep up with them! | | | | on the rise! |